- In wine, an old cliché says people talk dry but drink sweet. It may be true. The fastest growing varieties in 2012 were moscato, usually sweet, up 33 percent, and sweet reds, up 22 percent, Nielsen said.

- In spirits, Irish whiskeys are growing, in part through pumping up flavors by infusing honey and other flavors, says Impact Databank. Pinnacle's flavored vodkas rose 14 percent, it said, with offerings like cinnamon vodka, in partnership with Cinnabon.